Chickamauga Battlefield Half Marathon

Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia

Saturday, November 10, 2018

On Saturday, November 10, 2018 I race walked the Chickamauga Battlefield Half Marathon in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.  It was somewhat cold as the temperature varied from 34 to 42 degrees with sunny skies and 10 mph winds.  I am glad the temperature stayed above freezing because it has been raining for two days and below freezing temperatures would have produced ice on the course.  The course was on paved roads that was open to traffic but had very little with which to contend.  Two miles of the road was on a little used road that was in poor shape and needed much repair.  There was some up and down but nothing very challenging.  From mile marker 1 to mile 12.5 the roads were in the Chickamauga National Military Park where on September 19 and 20, 1863 the armies of the Union and Confederacy fought the bloodiest battle west of the Appalachian Mountains that saw about 124000 men engaged in the battle suffer around 30% casualties (4329 killed, 26023 wounded, 6776 missing in action).  Water/Powerade Stations were located about every 2 miles and were manned by plenty of friendly enthusiastic efficient volunteers that braved the cold and took care of the needs of the 804 finishers in the half marathon and 335 finishers in the full marathon.  I enjoy participating in this event which is always well organized, friendly and fun to do. I have done the full marathon 1 time and the half marathon 5 times in the 49 years that this event has been held.

 Exposition

Before the Race

After the Race

Along the Course